Roy Bentley dead: Chelsea legend who led club to first ever trophy dies, aged 93

Striker led the club to their first ever trophy

Chelsea centre-forward Roy Bentley in action, 18 August 1953 (Getty)

Roy Bentley, the former captain of Chelsea Football Club, has died aged 93.

The striker led the team to their first ever trophy and was a regular visitor to Stamford Bridge in his later years.

He was one of the starts of the 1955 title-winning side and also played for the likes of Newcastle, Fulham and QPR.

"Chelsea Football Club is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Roy Bentley, our first trophy-winning captain and star of our 1955 League Championship team," the club said in a statement.

"All at Chelsea send our condolences to his family and friends.

"A Chelsea legend in the truest sense of the word, his importance in the club's story never has, and never will be, forgotten."

Bentley scored nine goals in 12 appearances for England and represented his country at the 1950 World Cup.

He made his Chelsea debut in 1948 in a 4-2 home defeat by Huddersfield after signing for the club for £11,000.

After a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge, he went on to be the Blues' top scorer in the 1949-50 season and replaced Johnny Harris as captain in 1951.

Bentley's goal tally remains the joint-fifth highest in Chelsea's history behind Frank Lampard, Bobby Tambling, Kerry Dixon and Didier Drogba.

Following his playing career, Bentley went on to manage Reading for five years from 1963 to 68 before spending three years in charge of Swansea, where he won promotion to the old Third Division.

Agency contributed to this report